Chris Boswell: From Rice Owl to NFL Record-Breaker

Christopher Lynn Boswell, born on March 16, 1991, is an American professional football placekicker who has made a significant impact in the National Football League (NFL). Currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Boswell's journey to the NFL began during his college years at Rice University, where he honed his skills and established himself as a reliable kicker.

Early Years

Before his college career, Chris Boswell attended and played football at Fossil Ridge.

College Career at Rice University

Boswell's college career at Rice University laid the foundation for his future success in the NFL. He entered his fourth year as the starting placekicker for the Owls. In his first three seasons, he converted 51-of-67 kicks (76.1 percent). Boswell entered 2012 as a third-year starter at kicker. As a sophomore in 2011, he showcased impressive efficiency, converting on 81 percent of his field goal attempts and making 31 of his 32 extra point attempts. However, Rice didn’t score often and the extra point totals probably won’t be too high in the upcoming season.

While specific details of his yearly statistics are not provided in the user's text, it's clear that Boswell was a consistent and dependable player for the Rice Owls. His performance earned him recognition and set the stage for his transition to professional football.

Professional Career

Houston Texans and New York Giants

After completing his college career, Boswell entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, initially signing with the Houston Texans in 2014. He later spent time with the New York Giants.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Boswell's career took a turn when he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, demonstrating accuracy and clutch performance in crucial game situations.

Memorable Performances and Records

Throughout his tenure with the Steelers, Boswell has had numerous memorable performances, including:

December 18: Boswell kicked a career-high six field goals against the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the first kicker in NFL history to convert at least six field goals in a game and have five of those connect from 40+ yards. The last kicker to kick five field goals from 40+ yards in the same game was Mason Crosby in 2015. He is the third Pittsburgh Steeler in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
Divisional Round of the Playoffs: He set a playoff record, kicking six field goals leading the team to narrowly beat the Chiefs 18-16, scoring all of the Steelers' points.
During Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders: Boswell broke the Heinz Field field goal record with a 56-yard field goal.
Three weeks later: Boswell made a 59-yard field goal against the New York Jets as time expired in the second quarter, making it the longest field goal scored at Acrisure Stadium to date, while also tying his then career long.
September 8, 2024: Boswell converted all six of his field goal attempts for the second time in his career.
During the Steelers’ matchup against the Eagles: Boswell broke the team’s franchise record for most field goals in a single season.

2018 Season and Injury

Boswell faced a challenging period in 2018, converting only 13 of 20 field goal attempts and 43 of 48 extra point attempts. He was placed on injured reserve on December 28, 2018, after suffering a grade-2 tear in his groin.

Recent Seasons

In the 2023 season, Boswell appeared in all 17 regular-season games, converting 27 of 28 extra point attempts and 29 of 31 field goal attempts. Boswell made another postseason start when the Steelers traveled to Highmark Stadium to play against the Buffalo Bills.

Accolades and Recognition

Boswell's outstanding performance has earned him several accolades and recognition, including:

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AFC Special Teams Player of the Month
Pro Bowl Selection
AP All-Pro Honors

Contract Extension

The Steelers have shown their confidence in Boswell by signing him to a four-year, $20 million contract extension.

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